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Los Angeles Jewish Home's Blog
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
No More Driving
Los Angeles Jewish Home resident
Since becoming a resident of the Los Angeles Jewish Home in September 2009, I cannot innumerate the countless benefits of living in this fabulous facility. However, I must admit there is one phase of my past that I miss tremendously.
I was an excellent driver for over 55 years, with a commendable record. In fact, in most recent years when many of my friends had to give up driving, I was the “designated driver.” Driving on the freeway, driving at night, escorting my friends to countless doctor appointments, shopping trips—they were no challenge for me.
And then, lo and behold, my own driving abilities began to falter. Before I knew it I had to forsake my driver’s license and, alas, my life changed. The freedom of hopping in the car and running my errands at will was indeed a privilege. One doesn’t realize the extent of that freedom until you can no longer exercise it.
I promised myself that when that day came, I would be noble and accept it valiantly. But that is easier said than done. Often times I find myself in the “oh dear” mood, but fortunately I’ve overcome it quickly. I realize there are far worse compromises in life than not driving.
Talking to other residents here at the Jewish Home, we all have the same lament: “Oh, how I miss my driving!”
But we have all adjusted and take advantage of our volunteer drivers, city-ride, Access, taxis—yes, life goes on, even without a driver’s license.
Labels: Aging, Car, Driver, Driver's License, Driving, Freedom, Health, Independence, Los Angeles Jewish Home, Nettie Freeman, Residents, Seniors, Staff
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Unconventional Practices for Practical Purposes
“It relieves stress, it reduces anxiety and it can help diminish pain,” said Marie Muller, the agency’s education manager and a trained reiki master. “We hope that our clients with dementia who become agitated and stressed will find reiki calming” — and thus will be less disturbed when aides help them bathe or dress or eat.
Reiki is the ancient Japanese practice of channeling universal energy to heal or, at the very least, soothe a person in need. And in addition to senior care facilities, some hospitals are experimenting with the practice.
“People say they just feel comforted,” said Christina Niles, the hospital’s reiki director, citing patient surveys. “I personally believe reiki is healing. Not everyone at the hospital agrees, but everyone thinks that people feel better afterward.”
In a recent Jewish Home Feature Article, Dr. Edward Schneider explained that Eastern and Western medicine can complement one another. What would be interesting to know definitively, though, is whether reiki can physically heal, or whether the presence of a calm caregiver or peaceful music simply puts dementia patients at ease.What do you think?
Labels: Alternative Medicine, Caregiving, Dementia, Eastern Medicine, For the Body, Healing, Health, Japanese Medicine, New York Times, Reiki, Schneider, Staff, The New Old Age, Traditional Medicine, Wellness
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Expanded Resource Section!
Labels: Alzheimer's, Cancer, Caregiving, Depression, Drug Abuse, Health, Healthy Aging, Mental Health, Nutrition, Resources, Senior Resources, Staff, Substance Abuse, Transportation, Website, Wellness
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Feeling Sporty? Popular Activities for Seniors
Freshwater Fishing- Fishing can offer peace and tranquility, along with working the muscles in your arms and torso.
Labels: Activities, Aging, Bowling, Cross Post, Fitness, For the Body, Golf, Health, Senior Living, Seniors List, Sports, Staff, Swimming, Walking
Monday, February 21, 2011
Shameless Plug: The Jewish Home's Monthly Top 10
Labels: email, Health, Internet, Longevity, Senior Living, Social Media, Staff, Subscribe, Top 10, Wellness
Friday, February 18, 2011
New Advice on Preventing Falls
By Karen Stabiner
 |
Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press |
The earlier guidelines did not single out any particular exercise regimen and endorsed prescription reviews only for patients taking more than four medications.
Exercise is essential for any older person who can manage it, according to Dr. Mary Tinetti of the Yale University School of Medicine, a chairwoman of the panel that issued the new guidelines. Tai chi gets the nod because several trials have suggested that it seems to help reduce the risk of falling, she said, although it is possible that other forms of balance training work just as well.
Greg Fuller teaches tai chi at the Jewish Home in Los Angeles. “The basic underlying philosophy is that balance is everything,” he said. Most important for his students, whose average age is 90, tai chi involves small, slow, controlled motions.
“With beginners, we spend a lot of time working while seated, bringing attention to the proper alignment of the pelvis, chest and head,” said Mr. Fuller. Once that is accomplished, “finding strength and balance while standing is much easier.”
Even then, many students work standing just behind a chair. “The presence of the chair back within reach gives them a sense of security and confidence,” Mr. Fuller said. “They forget about the possibility of falling and concentrate on the movements.”
Confidence is important to fall prevention, according to Dr. Tinetti, who said that fear of falling can itself lead older people to cut back on activities they used to enjoy. The less they do, sadly, the less they eventually are able to do.
The geriatrics groups also have long recommended that the medication regimens of older patients be reviewed and, if possible, scaled back. Earlier guidelines called for reviewing medications only if a patient takes more than four. This time around, researchers say that all older patients ought to have their doctors review their prescriptions for any that might increase the risk of falling.
“The evidence is strongest that medications that affect the brain — these include antidepressants, sleep medications and medications for anxiety — increase the risk of falling,” said Dr. Tinetti. “There is also a suggestion, not yet proven, that narcotics and some blood pressure medications may increase the risk of falls, as well.”
The updated guidelines distinguish between a fall that requires intervention and one that might be a isolated incident. The updated criteria for getting a risk evaluation are:
- An elderly person worried or frightened by a fall.
- Two or more falls in the past year.
- One or more falls with injury.
- Repeated difficulty with balance when walking.
Read the original blog post here.
Labels: Aging, Balance, Cross Post, Falling, Fitness, For the Body, Health, New York Times, Stabiner, Staff, T'ai Chi, The New Old Age
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Fitness, One Step at a Time
If you live in Southern California, the odds are that you will live into your late 80s or early 90s. Many of us can look forward to extra years that our parents and grandparents didn't have. But for most of us, the important question is not how many years we will live, but how many will we live enjoyably. A few easy‚ life-changing steps can help ensure that you will experience the full potential of all your years.
Step 1 — Get Off the Couch!
By getting active and working out regularly, you reduce the risk of developing many medical conditions that accumulate with aging and inactivity. Walking regularly at a pace of 2-3 miles per hour will diminish your risk of a heart attack by 30 percent! Exercise will also decrease the possibility of a stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and many cancers. Another benefit is that working out will lift your mood and improve your sleep. Sounds good, but how do you get started?
Step 2 — Pick an Activity You'll Enjoy
The best exercise for all of us is one that we'll keep doing! Walking, cycling, jogging, tennis and golf are big favorites. Swimming is great for those with arthritis and other conditions that limit movement. On rainy days, try an elliptical machine that will exercise both your arms and legs, or a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Check with your physician before starting an exercise regime. If you need some help or motivation to get going, enlist your spouse or a good friend to join you. Once you start exercising and feel that extra bounce in your step, you'll be hooked.
Step 3 — Commit to a Regular Schedule — it's Fun!
My prescription is to exercise 30 minutes a day for five or more days each week. Look for opportunities — take the stairs instead of the elevator, park a little farther from the store or restaurant and walk the extra distance. Your goal in sustained exercise is get your heart rate up to about 60 percent of its maximum rate. To calculate the appropriate rate, subtract your age from 220 and multiple by 0.6. For example, if you are 65, the target heart rate for exercise would be 220-65 x 0.6 = 93. Keep an exercise log to record the time you've put in.
Step 4 — Consider a Little Heavy Lifting
As you get older, the best way to avoid getting osteoporosis is by lifting weights. A study in Boston of nonagenarians (90-year olds) in a nursing home found that even at this advanced age, they could improve their strength by more than 100% in a few short weeks! After beefing up their muscles, some residents were able to discard their canes and walkers. Before you start pumping iron, find a professional trainer at any local gym or fitness center for a consult. Warm up first, start slowly, then look for that 100% improvement — it's right around the corner.
Epilogue — a Tale of Two Grandmothers
Both my mother and grandmother were in nursing homes in their late 80s, but my mom was there as a resident and my grandmother as a volunteer. They were the same height, the same build and had virtually the same diet. What was the difference? My mother always had a car, lived in a building with an elevator, and had a housekeeper. My grandmother never drove; walked everywhere, including up two flights of stairs to her apartment, and cleaned her own home. Try a little exercise today. Before long, you'll notice it's a lot easier to get off the couch and to climb those stairs. In addition to feeling better, you'll reduce your risk of illness and injury, and enjoy more of all that life has to offer!
Dr. Edward L. Schneider heads the largest private center for research and education on aging, the Andrus Gerontology Center of the University of Southern California. He also serves as Dean Emeritus of the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and Professor of Medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Schneider has written or co-written twelve books, including Ageless: Take Control of Your Age & Stay Youthful for Life, and published more than 180 scientific articles on topics related to aging.
Labels: Feature Articles, Fitness, For the Body, Health